The New Jersey Devils have announced that forward Drew Stafford will be attending training camp on a professional tryout contract. The Devils announced the move on Friday.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/1038164389705273346
Devils Sign Drew Stafford to a PTO
Stafford has played for the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils over his 12-year NHL career. He has put up 191 goals and 224 assists for 415 career points in 784 career games. He was originally drafted in the first round, 13th overall of the 2004 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres. The 32-year-old also appeared in two playoff games for New Jersey.
Stafford was a three-year standout for the University of North Dakota where he totaled 48 goals and 66 assists for 114 points. He was part of the gold-medal winning Team USA squad at the 2004 World Junior Championships.
Last season he scored eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in 59 games. He also added 10 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 47.8 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -0.1.
Two players have earned their way onto the Devils via preseason PTOs since 2015 when general manager Ray Shero took over in 2015. Lee Stempniak did so in 2015-16 and Kevin Hayes made the team out of camp in 2017-18.
What This Means for the Future
He was a fixture in the lineup early in the season but was a healthy scratch later on. Stafford went unsigned during the free agency period, but can still be useful.
The Devils quiet off-season means that Stafford can still make the team. He would give the team some flexibility at the forward spot. Shero may decide to sign the Milwaukee native if he feels the younger prospects need more time to develop.
Stafford’s veteran presence would also be welcome in the locker room if he does earn a spot on the Devils.
SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 20: Drew Stafford #18 of the New Jersey Devils skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on March 20, 2018, in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
